Surface plasmon resonance sensor element and sensor including the same

Abstract

A surface plasmon resonance sensor element includes a thin metallic layer, an optical construction disposed on the thin metallic layer for directing light to and away from the thin metallic layer, and an absorptive layer disposed on the thin metallic layer opposite the optical construction. The absorptive layer includes a polymer of intrinsic microporosity having an average pore volume of at least 0.4 cubic nanometers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element comprising:
 a thin metallic layer; 
 an optical construction disposed on the thin metallic layer for directing light to and away from the thin metallic layer; 
 an absorptive layer disposed on the thin metallic layer opposite the optical construction, the absorptive layer comprising a polymer of intrinsic microporosity having an average pore volume of at least 0.4 cubic nanometers. 
 
     
     
       2. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical construction consists of a prism. 
     
     
       3. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical construction comprises a prism, a transparent plate, and a fluid sandwiched therebetween, wherein the prism, transparent plate, and fluid have matched indexes of refraction. 
     
     
       4. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer of intrinsic microporosity has an average pore volume of at least 0.45 cubic nanometers. 
     
     
       5. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer of intrinsic microporosity is a homopolymer having a monomeric unit selected from the group consisting of 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       6. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the thin metallic layer comprises at least one of gold, silver, aluminum, or copper. 
     
     
       7. A surface plasmon resonance sensor comprising:
 a source of p-polarized light; 
 a surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 ; 
 a detector for detecting an image corresponding to a minimal intensity of light reflected from the thin metallic layer, thereby measuring a resonance angle. 
 
     
     
       8. A surface plasmon resonance sensor according to  claim 7 , wherein the source of p-polarized light comprises a laser. 
     
     
       9. A surface plasmon resonance sensor according to  claim 7 , wherein the detector comprises a photodiode array. 
     
     
       10. A surface plasmon resonance sensor according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical construction consists of a prism. 
     
     
       11. A surface plasmon resonance sensor according to  claim 7 , wherein the optical construction comprises a prism, a transparent plate, and a fluid sandwiched therebetween, wherein the prism, transparent plate, and fluid have matched indexes of refraction. 
     
     
       12. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymer of intrinsic microporosity has an average pore volume of at least 0.45 cubic nanometers. 
     
     
       13. A surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 7 , wherein the polymer of intrinsic microporosity is a homopolymer having a monomeric unit selected from the group consisting of 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       14. A surface plasmon resonance sensor according to  claim 7 , wherein the thin metallic layer comprises at least one of gold, silver, or copper. 
     
     
       15. The surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorptive layer has a thickness of 0.1 micron to 10 microns. 
     
     
       16. The surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorptive layer is capable of absorbing a vapor, and has a dielectric constant that is changeable depending on the amount of the absorbed vapor. 
     
     
       17. The surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer of intrinsic microporosity has at least 10% free volume. 
     
     
       18. The surface plasmon resonance sensor element according to  claim 1 , wherein the absorptive layer is formed by spin coating a solution of the polymer on a surface of the thin metallic layer to form a metal/dielectric interface.